Recording the restoration of this historic locomotive...
See the KS4415 website for the background to this project

Friday, 10 March 2017

Update 8th March 2017

Photos by Rob Bishop
In the last update the transmission brake received a mention. Despite looking quite fossilised, it stripped down nicely and all of the components are reusable.

Transmission brake dismantled

The subframes have now been fitted and the grey top coat applied. This view looking to the rear of the frames clearly shows the rear frame stretcher repair and also the repaired areas of the sub frame.

Subframes looking back

This is the view looking forward, showing more of the sub frame repairs and the various brackets which carry the brake gear, with the slot and cut away section of the frame where the transmission chain from the lay shaft comes back onto the leading axle.

Subframes looking forward

Assuming that you are interested in watching paint dry, here is an overall view of the chassis. The 1 ½” hole in the frames at 5 o’clock to the large layshaft bearing hole is to take the ¾” bore pipe which connects the exhauster to the train pipe.

Chassis side view

The ‘T' which protrudes through this hole, can be just seen in this 1929 view (now located at 11 o'clock to the layshaft), with a witness streak ‘crying’ from it .

1929 view

This interesting assembly came with the MDB4 engine from Armley Mills and is part of the starting mechanism, which is located in the cab below the radiator. I’m struggling to recall how it all works, the upper shaft (with the square end) is in line with the Diesel engine crank shaft, while the lower shaft is connected (via a chain drive) to the Blackburne donkey engine. If you put the starting handle on the upper shaft you can turn over the Diesel engine, but by disengaging a dog clutch you can use the same handle to start the donkey engine. The outer rim of the lower gear wheel is part of a band brake; the strap for which is in situ below the wheel. When this brake is applied, via a small handle (missing, but pivoting in the bracket bottom left) the drive from the Donkey engine can then be used to turn over the Diesel. I’m aware that I have missed something out here, it will all become clear in another thrilling instalment.

Starting mechanism

Getting back to a specialism we all understand, here is more paint drying, this time on the axle boxes & handbrake stanchion.